- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Mission Beach Café
Categories: Restaurants American (New) Restaurants Breakfast & Brunch American (New), Breakfast & Brunch [Edit]
198 Guerrero St(between Brosnan St & 14th St)
San Francisco, CA 94103
Neighborhood: Mission
(415) 861-0198
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 9 am - 2:30 pm
Mon-Thu 5:30 pm - 10 pm
Fri-Sat 5:30 pm - 11 pm
Sun 9 am - 3:30 pm
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Brunch
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Hipster, Trendy, Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
1171 reviews for Mission Beach Café
Review Highlights
-
"Fresh squeezed juices, Blue Bottle coffee, yum yum yum." In 119 reviews -
"The Rabbit Pot Pie appetizer was awesome and filling." In 45 reviews -
"wild mushroom benedict: amazing and simply beautiful." In 43 reviews
Loading...
- A Yelpy Insight: Vegetarians go nuts for this spot. See more places they like.
1171 reviews in English
-
Review from Joel C.
5/21/2012
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS PLACE!!! Not only is it one of my favorite restaurants in San Francisco, but it will always hold a very special place in my heart. Since, I just moved to San Francisco a few months ago, I had no idea where to go for a birthday dinner. I was frantically searching for a place that could host my birthday dinner for 14 people. Every place I called was either too high of a price point or just didn't have the capabilities to handle a large group as mine. When I called Mission Beach Cafe, they were more than accommodating to my party. The chef and the owner of Mission Beach Cafe even called me on a daily basis to make sure that everything was according to plan and what I wanted. I even got the chance to plan and customize my own menu.
Appetizers:
Truffle Fries
Flatbread Pizzas
First Course:
Little Gem Salad
Potato Soup
Asparagus Salad
Main Course
Halibut
Chicken
Pork
Everything was really delicious and everyone thought the value of the meal was spot on with how much they paid. I could have had the choice of dessert but since my friend John made me a cake, I opted for the appetizers.
The service was impeccable and we loved our server! He had a good time really bonding with us and of course we invited him to have a piece of birthday cake.
This truly is one of the best and most memorable birthdays I've ever had!!! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND Mission Beach Cafe to anyone and everyone and really look forward on checking out their famous brunch. It was also very nice for the owner to reply to my email I sent to him for thanking him for the wonderful birthday. He mentioned that they usually get very nervous on having large parties, but my birthday dinner brought faith back to them and that the entire staff loved having us. Now, that is quality service! In the end, I truly felt like I was part of the Mission Beach Cafe family and felt at home with them!!! I'll be here again soon! -
Review from Elizabeth K.
Emeryville, CA
5/20/2012
1hr and 20min wait + cold poached eggs = a bad brunch
I won't be back. -
Review from Edward C.
Seattle, WA
5/19/2012 1 Check-in Here
I really don't understand why people seem to jizz in their pants about this place. The food is decent, but brunch is a veritable cluster because of how many people are waiting, so they pack you in tight and the service is abrupt. I've had the unfortunate pleasure to be seated near the door to the kitchen several times (when they try to fit three people to a table meant for two) where I've been repeatedly jostled by waiters and servers without so much as an apology. And it's not as if the prices, portion sizes, or quality of food make up for the terrible atmosphere and service during brunch.
For dinner, things are slightly better (which brings this review up to a 2 instead of a 1). It's much less hectic, there's more room to breathe, and service is more measured. But again, I don't think that the food is anything remarkable, and some things seem like more of an easy out than anything else (e.g. truffles + anything = happy people).
Conclusion: stay away from brunch; dinner is okay, but unremarkable. -
Review from Zachary S.
Seattle, WA
5/17/2012
If you want the best $15 burger of your life, come to Mission Beach Cafe.
This is the best burger I have had in the city, and I've had a lot. Slow Club, Namu, Chez Maman, Zuni - some come close, but none perfect the burger as well as Mission Beach Cafe does. The bun is strong in the beginning but the bottom begins to fall apart as you dig in deeper to the burger. Normally I would blame this on the bun, but the burger at MBC is so juicy that it's completely understandable that any bun holding in this patty would eventually begin to disintegrate. The cheese and whatever other toppings are on the burger (sometimes it's pickled beets, sometimes caramelized onions, it's ever-changing) all have their own distinct flavors that somehow work perfectly in harmony together. And add the bacon - it is a must. MBC has ridiculously tasty, thick-cut bacon.
Sub in truffle fries for the regular fries for the burger as the price is cheaper than just ordering a side of truffle fries. I always wish I can finish them because they are so good but after the burger I am stuffed. Mission Beach Cafe is a restaurant that exceeded my expectations, and my expectations were pretty lofty. I can't speak for any of the other dishes but the burger is delicious. Marlowe and NOPA are my next stops in search of the ultimate burger, but I'm pretty sure I have already found it at MBC. -
Review from Tori V.
San Francisco, CA
5/24/2012
This place is absolutely wonderful for brunch! They are very crowded, so getting in is kind of a chore, and we had a larger group than they are use to accommodating, but they managed to squeeze us in (literally.) Their brunch menu is nice, I ordered the biscuits and gravy + eggs + sausage, and I was stuffed. The server was very personable, and was on top of our orders, considering how busy they were.
-
Review from Melissa T.
San Francisco, CA
5/14/2012
Hands down, best eggs benedict I have ever had. The english mushroom was crispy on the edges and soft in the middle, with mushrooms and spinach piled on top and then an awesomely awesome poached egg on top that I couldn't wait to stab. Soo good!
And super strong Blue Bottle coffee!
I also love the decor too! Those tables are beautiful!
I did go on a Monday for brunch so no wait. -
Review from Jake W.
5/10/2012 1 Check-in Here
First thing's first. Make sure to get here a little early. I got in line around 8:45 Saturday morning (they open at 9). We were seated right away, but a line started up right away and people were waiting.
I got the duck and chicken hash. It was a pretty perfect combination of sweet and savory. The coffee was excellent as well (I got a latte). One of my friends got the mushroom and spinach benedict which she could not stop raving about.
The reason that they get three stars instead of four is the service. First, they really rushed us. The waiter asked if we were ready, we said we need a minute and, with no exaggeration, came back one minute (60 seconds) later and asked if we were ready again. Also, a friend asked for extra onion and the waiter said that the chef doesn't like to add extras to dishes. That's fine and I totally understand that. The problem was, when his sandwich came out it had NO onions. I frown upon these kind of passive aggressive shenanigans. -
Review from Leanne S.
5/11/2012 1 Check-in Here
The restaurant itself is super cute and has a nice warm atmosphere. I'd give the Interior Design 4 stars...does that count? :P
Maybe it was what I ordered but I really wasn't crazy about this place. I had the huevos with arch gored yellow indian woman beens, salas rojo, tomatillo pcodegallo, cojita cheese and pulled pork. The dish itself was good but the eggs...not so much. The whites weren't cooked and were really really runny. I wanted to like it, but just didn't.
My friend however seemed to really enjoy his meal. I'm guessing I need to make another visit and try something else. -
Review from Sarina I.
San Francisco, CA
5/11/2012 1 Check-in Here
Like so many others, I've had MBC in my bookmark radar for some time now. After being invited to eat here for free, of course I was excited.
The wait on a Friday morning around 10am, didn't exist. We had a table by the window. The server was attentive and seated us promptly.
The food: I had the Brioche French Toast and Blue Bottle House Coffee. Both were delicious, but not enough for me to come back.
Maybe it's the atmosphere, the over-priced everything. But honestly, I was hungry after I left. I even went to Arizmendi afterwards (now that place is the bomb).
Sorry MBC, I know you won't miss me, you have so many others lovers, you just weren't my type. -
Review from Desmond C.
San Jose, CA
4/30/2012
Yum.
CLEANLINESS: 4/5
SERVICE: 5/5
FOOD: 5/5
+ Banana Butterscotch Cream Pie
+ Orange-Pomegranite Mimosa
Came here for weekend brunch with some friends recently. I sadly ate before coming here, so I just got dessert. I went with the banana butterscotch cream pie. It was pretty darn good. Not too sweet, just perfect. Then again, I'll eat almost any dessert. Although it was about 7 bucks, it was worth it. For drinks, I had to get the mimosa. The large is pretty big, but a great way to get the day started.
The atmosphere is nice. The waiter was super nice. Sometimes I wonder how they can be so happy, but I'm not complaining. Service was on point and quick. Very personable and funny.
My friends ordered the brunch here and they said it was divine. I'll definitely be back to try their breakfast (and maybe another pie). -
Review from Anita D.
San Francisco, CA
5/2/2012 1 Check-in Here
BFF wanted breakfast yesterday so she felt the need to wake me up at an ungodly hour. I narrowed the choices down for her since I have a never ending Yelp bookmarked list to conquer.
Parking was easy since it was a Tuesday morning. Skip the meters. Plenty of free parking around if you go midweek. Don't press your luck on weekends.
Cute interior. Awesome chairs.
We ordered the Wild mushroom benedict and egg sandwich. Both are impeccable. While trying to eat my sandwich I popped the egg yolk on accident and it ended up all over my hair. It was messy. But so worth it. Portions are on the smaller size, but with truffle oil in your meal, you can't go wrong. Everything was just so divine. $13 for the benedict and $11 for the sandwich.
Service was kind of spotty. But the food sure is great.
MBC just made its way to the top of my brunch list. -
Review from Jason B.
Updated - 4/29/2012
Slaying sandwiches after slaying unicorns.
I don't come up with this stuff: http://youtu.be/gCktLD...
But I do support it. Enthusiastically. Markus Schulz had destroyed everything in sight. Unicorn population by the end of his epic four hour set: 0.
Woke up very hungry from all the slaying.
Mission Beach's veggie sandwich of the day was epic as the set. Loaded with such goodness as cauliflower, onions, peppers and more it poured out of the two slices of rye. Right into my mouth.
Served with a side of greens. Best part of the complementing Americano was the mug. Bland flavor. Good design.
Ultimately a five star sandwich with a two star price. $12 is a lot no matter how many veggies. Quality for sure. But you pay for it. Too much so in my opinion.
Left with a full stomach, lighter wallet, and the urge to GO slaying once again.
http://youtu.be/5eZo8-...2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
-
9/15/2011
Butterscotch rabbit pie.
This neighborhood spot continues to pack them and I have no doubt plenty are… Read more »
-
-
Review from Linh V.
Updated - 4/26/2012 2 Check-ins Here
I came back for the burger. And everyone who told me how great it was, including 7x7 and http://bestburgerinsf.com, were right. And it's just a simple burger! It finds no need to put on the fancies because it knows what it gots and it flaunts it. Juicy and cooked exactly the way you ask with gouda, mushrooms, and some caramelized onions. Could not get better.
Piggie piggie that I be, I also got a chance to try their french toast. Oh. my. go-. It's so good I couldn't even finish that sentence. And the serving is huge. I probably did not need to order my duck hash (wet), which in comparison is not as great as the other two dishes. And before you say, "gosh this girl eats a lot," I shared this with three other people, ok? Though I totally could've destroyed it all myself. :P1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
9/30/2011
Came here for brunch on a beautiful Friday morning. Very cute little cafe with cute waiters ;).… Read more »
-
-
Review from N T.
San Francisco, CA
5/20/2012
I found Mission Beach Cafe to be one of the most overrated brunch places in the city, though I guess not even the most amazing food can make up for an hour-and-twenty-minute wait. I understand a party of three takes longer to seat, but there was no order to the way the host sat customers and he was rude on top of it all.
When we finally sat down and ordered, the food was immediately plunked down in front of us. The place operates like a factory and apparently because of its reputation, the wait staff is just trying to churn customers in and out. With all the people packed inside and the blaring music, my friends and I were practically shouting to hear each other.
As far as the food, we tried a house cured salmon salad with poached eggs, gravy and biscuits, and an eggs, pork, and bean dish. It was flavorful enough. Reading the other reviews now, however, lukewarm food at the cafe appears to be a recurring theme... Simply not the brunch experience you want after waiting outside for that long.
I recommend trying out the amazing brunch places all over the city before getting bad service, losing your voice, and eating cold food at Mission Beach Cafe. -
Review from Angela A.
5/4/2012 1 Check-in Here
Definitely a go-to spot especially if you are visiting. If you can, try to get there when it opens, or as early as possible because the wait can be long. But if you do happen to wait, you can always grab a coffee or a pastry at the counter inside, and read the morning paper or play Drawsome outside while you wait.
The portions are great, not too overwhelming, however, the food is so good that you end up finishing your meal. Perfect for brunch!
I don't think you can go wrong with the menu choices, but I do recommend:
Dungeness Crab Bendedict w/ avocado (if you want something light)
Grilled Hanger Steak & eggs (if you want something filling)
Lavender infused french toast (if you want something sweet) -
Review from Erica L.
Danville, CA
5/20/2012
BEST. BACON. EVER!! maple glazed and mouth watering. Boyfriend got the Mission Beach Huevos w/ pulled pork, which was a healthy portion and he said was quite good. I got the duck & chicken confit hash which was solid. Tried my friend's french toast and that was delicious as well. Overall, food was awesome, servers were very friendly and I will definitely be back. Just gotta be prepared for a wait.
-
Review from Shannon B.
San Francisco, CA
4/25/2012
It was a long wait, with a reservation we waited an additional 30 minutes. This makes me skeptical- not a good start.
I ordered the wild mushroom benedict. There were three types of mushroom, spinach, caramelized onions & a mornay sauce for $13 and It came with roasted potatoes. Everything was delicious.
Honestly most of what I remember of this meal was the long wait outside and how I was told we would take 5 more minutes and it took 30 more minutes. It was only ok food, I am fixated on the unreasonable wait time. I miss Brunch Drunk Love! -
Review from Abby S.
4/15/2012 1 Check-in Here
Mission Beach has amazing food, no matter if you're there for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Have eaten here three times and all experiences were quite memorable.
Breakfast: go for that crack-like bacon. Pretty sure it's made with brown sugar and butter. Pancakes are also good, as well as the Crab Benny.
Lunch: Shrimp Po' Boy and truffle fries. Not sure if it's still on the menu, but when I ate it a little over a year ago, couldn't get it out of my mind for quite some time. Just thinking about it now elicits a bit of saliva in the mouth.
Dinner: Treated the BF to a birthday dinner late last week. This is one of the best kept dining secrets in San Francisco. Sure, there's a line out the door for weekend brunch, but did you even know that they serve an evening meal as well? And that the menu is completely different? We had the burger and pork tenderloin. Very different meals, but we both cleaned our plates. And had room for dessert. Banana meringue pie with a side of ice cream. Mmm! Better than any birthday cake that I'd make for sure.
Most people have heard of Mission Beach Cafe, but to actually go there and try the food is something you'll never forget. -
Review from Cedric L.
San Francisco, CA
4/20/2012
I went to Mission Beach cafe for brunch on a Saturday. First thing you'll noticed is the line ;) I haven't tryied to book ahead with Open Table but this might be a smart option if you want to avoid waiting about 30 minutes. That being said, I've put my name on the list once I arrived and since my friends were late, the gentlemen managing the table put our on hold and check back with us a couple of time to make sure well get our table as soon as possible.
The place has mainly indoor seetibg, which might be a bit sad if you want to enjoy a nice sunny day. However for people that are sun sensitive, inside is probably better. The place isn't big not small but table are close to each others. Certains will like this cozy feeling. I did not mind.
Food was good, thought a little bit on the pricey side. I've tried their Tofu dish for creativity and it turns out very good. My friends tried their egg benedicts (mushroom & shrimps) and both were good. Portions were relatively small but I've got enough. Their burger was yummy looking btw!
I will probably come back to try their French Toast & Huge mimosas :-) -
Review from Jenn B.
Didn't live up to the yelp hype for me. The restaurant was really cute, but the food just wasn't impressive and definitely not worth the wait. The benedict I ordered was cold, but I'll admit that the french toast was pretty good. Our server seemed irritated with us, even though we didn't ask for any substitutions or complicate things in any way. With so many great brunch spots in the city, I wouldn't choose to come back here again.
-
Review from Wendy S.
5/13/2012
Dining area is beautiful, and I can't complain about the brunch food. However, as is typical for good brunch places in the city, the wait is atrocious. Service also leaves a lot to be desired, but I guess I understand since they are really, really busy. I don't think the food is quite good enough to merit the hurried service and the long wait.
-
Review from Sam M.
San Francisco, CA
4/13/2012
I really don't understand why MBC gets so packed for brunch EVERY week. I live across the street from MBC so I can see the crowd outside MBC every weekend from my window.
My first visit to MBC was for dinner. I chose to go on a Tuesday evening because I read on their website that they have a Pot Pie Tuesday!!! I was so excited only to find out that they no longer have the Pot Pie Tuesday. MBC should seriously update their website!!!
Anyways, the waiter informed my friend and I that they did have a duck pot pie as an appetizer, so we decided to split that for our starter. The pot pie appetizer was pretty delicious; it had a nice crust, the meat was tender and the gravy was flavorful.
For my main course, I had the pasta dish. It was a filled pasta like a ravioli. I thought it was good but not great. They did use seasonal vegetables but I thought the overall flavor was just okay.
We also split the lemon cream pie, and it was just okay (good but not amazing). I thought the crust was slightly over baked.
I was still curious about MBC, and since they are more well known for their brunch, I decided to give it another shot. As usual, the brunch service was crazy busy but we got our food in a reasonable time.
I ordered the duck and chicken hash with two eggs on top. I thought the hash was decent, again, not great. In fact, it was a bit greasy. I was also disappointed that one of my eggs was overcooked! I like my yolk to be runny when I cut into it and it was definitely NOT!! I thought it was just my dish but my friend ordered the egg benedict and both of his poached eggs were overcooked as well!!!!
We also ordered the french toast for the table to share, and I must admit that the french toast was wonderful. However, I don't think it's worth the wait (well at least for me). -
Review from An-Nhien L.
San Francisco, CA
"If crack is anything like these pancakes or french toast, I can understand how people get so addicted"--REN IV
This place never fails to please! I've been here twice (Review lag, shame on me) and I have never left not in a complete food-induced coma. The thing about the MBC-induced food coma is that it makes you so full that you have to loosen your belt buckle one or two slots (or hell, just take that belt off, it's impeding your food intake) but once a waiter walks by with a beautiful dish for another table you have to consider just for a moment that you could probably eat that too even if you might explode.
Let me start off with the larger-than-my-head-sized mimosas. The barista behind the counter apparently makes more than great coffee (not-to-mention he's totally cute). My bf and I decided that there is about half a bottle of champagne in each mimosa. What a deal!
I got the wild mushroom benedict with spinach, carmelized onions, and truffle mornay sauce which came with a side of potatoes. I loooove eggs benedict and I love me some hollandaise sauce but the truffle mornay sauce that came on these were UNREAL. So so so good and a perfect choice I think for the wild mushrooms. I also love that the "english muffins" that they serve the benedicts on are heartier than the typical ones you'll have at other brunch spots. The potatoes were also cooked to perfection.
REN the IV got the MBC Huevos with rando gordo yellow indian woman beans, salsa rojo, tomatillo pico he dallo and cojita cheese. Apparently when avocados are available (which sadly they were not this time) this dish just soars to a whole 'nother level. Regardless, it was delicious!
We both HAD to try a bit of the brioche french toast and the pancake. Holy freakin hell the syrup is has crack in it I swear. By the time I got to eating these, I had already gone into second stomach mode and was just forcing it down my throat because I could not let this go to waste. It was THAT good.
So good. so so so so good. I just saw on their website they have Pot Pie Tuesday. WTF?! i will return on a tuesday and report back.Listed in: I Love Hybrid Meals
-
Review from Kelly S.
Despite the fact that a lady whipped out her left breast and began breast feeding sans blanket next to us, our experience here was a great start to a Sunday Funday. We rolled up around 9:30 am and there were only three people waiting in line for a table. For those of you who aren't from SF who are reading this, people in this city LOVE to stand in lines. Or at the very least, restaurants love to make them wait in line.
I do NOT like to wait in lines so I was happy we got there early enough to only have to wait 15 minutes. You'll have to have your whole party there and give your name to the frazzled guy up front. Then, if the wait seems long, send your buddy onto Four Barrel coffee to grab you some of the city's best joe.
We were seated quite close to other tables (its a small spot) and the aforementioned hungry baby. Two huge mimosas later (see the pics!) our food arrived. Everything we had was just outstanding. I'm not a french toast person but their challah french toast was incredible and I kept sneaking bites from my friends plate. Of course, my hash was just as good so at the end I went into an immediate food coma.
It's a little pricey for my Texas standards but then so is everything in California. The service was a little spotty though our server was gorgeous. We'll forgive him pretending tht the kitchen "lost" the ticket when he actually didnt write anything down the first time just because he has a pretty face. Oh double standards, we love thee.
If you can get there at a time when the wait is less than 1 hour, do it. It's a solid four star experience.Listed in: San Franspiring, Brunch Bonanza, Mimosas. I lovez em
-
Review from Kayla V.
4/9/2012 1 photo
Mimosas on a Wednesday afternoon. Yes, my girlfriends and I have it made! :) Jane K. and our friend Christina both got engaged recently, so we met up here to gush over their rings (giant 2ct. rocks), engagement (their soon-to-be-husbands did good), and wedding planning (elephants, Thailand, and seafood bbq).
We ordered the orange and grapefruit mimosas. Both were so delicious!!! The juice tasted fresh squeezed and they used a decent bottle of champagne. Order the large because a small mimosa won't be enough :) Also to share, we ordered the candied bacon and truffle fries with parmesan. The bacon was thick, caramelized, and crispy; like strips of heaven. We cleaned up both sides and 4 large mimosas. Yum!
Our server was so nice and funny. The three of us fought over the bill and he told me, "honey, weddings are expensive, so let them pay for this." Haha. He even allowed us to stay a little past closing, since we were having so much fun chit-chatting.
I can't wait to come back for more drinks and try some of their food. -
Review from Richa A.
Updated - 4/12/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Finally made it here for dinner.
I had high expectations as I am obsessed with their brunch, and still, I was completely floored.
My friend and I split two appetizers which turned out to be really generously portioned. One was a ridiculously fresh salad comprised of arugula, chevre, mint, cara cara oranges, carrots and some other root vegetables. It looked and tasted as if all the vegetables were harvested that day. If the meal ended here, I would've been happy.
But then out came the asparagus and mushroom pot pie, the second of the appetizers (the size was that of a standard pot pie, could've easily been an entree). Everything about it was phenomenal. I will dream about this pot pie. And might have to kidnap the pastry chef here.
Which leads me to the final course: dessert! Obviously we ordered more pies :) A slice of chocolate pecan pie (my choice) with a scoop of Mitchell's vanilla ice cream and a slice of banana butterscotch cream (friend's choice). While we had a couple bites of each other's, we each preferred our own selections and devoured them.
I'm most excited about coming back here to try the different seasonal selections... the menu changes obviously (and the website is incredibly out of date, there is no 'Pot Pie Tuesday') but it's not just that it changes in ingredients, it seems to change in concept as well. I also love it when a restaurant that is not specifically for vegetarians/vegans offers a lot of vegetarian dishes, because then everyone wins.
As we were leaving, the food arrived for the couple seated next to us. They ordered the burgers with truffle fries... the smell of that truffle, omg. That is definitely on my to-eat list.
SF has no shortage of restaurants that focus on fresh, locally sourced ingredients, and I love NOPA, Zuni, Foreign Cinema.. restaurants I've also given 5 stars to, but I really feel like MBC stands apart from them. Not just the food, but the service, ambiance (cozy and not crazy at dinner time) and prices (seriously, it's a steal). My new culinary goal is simply to be a regular here. :)Listed in: Favorite eats in SF
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
-
1/22/2011
Delicious brunch as always. This time, my friend and I split the crab benedict and the french toast.… Read more »
-
-
Review from Andrew N.
5/16/2012
The breakfasts are soooo good!
-
Review from Julissa J.
San Francisco, CA
5/15/2012
I can't complain. Everything is great. The pomegranate mimosa was delicious! I went here for brunch & loved the French toast. They were so yummy!! Everything on their menu is great!!
-
Review from Ruth C.
BIG mimosa is BIIGGG... definitely get the BIG mimosa. It's worth it.
I'm not a super huge fan of eggs benedict, but since they specialize in this brunch goodie I decided it was definitely worth a try. WOW, yum yum yum. It was tasty and just the right portion with all the right flavors. Sweet grilled onion, grilled asparagus, salty ham, perfect poached egg, and delicious lemony hollandaise sauce.
The potatoes were perfectly crispy and tasty.
Get here early (like at opening!) or wait in line.
The chairs are a little strange... not super comfortable... they're trendy and look nice, but I wish they were bigger (not that I have a big butt or anything).
Decent service and a trendy neighborhood atmosphere. I'll come back when I have the chance! -
Review from Max G.
San Mateo, CA
4/6/2012
I wake up every morning and I piss excellence.
That's why when I wake up on a day where I can enjoy brunch I want to find something excellent to replenish my supply.
Unfortunately MBC was not it.
Sat by the window (nice) and ordered promptly. Mushroom benedict w/potatoes - sounded amazing. Hollandaise was sadly missing that good tang (ha - "good tang"), eggs were underdone (slightly) and potatoes were rolled in salt. All in all, a solid 6/10 (the mushrooms themselves were great). Combined with a 10 minute wait for the check and I left disappointed.
Listen, it's not hard to delight when it comes to breakfast. Step up your game, gentlemen.
Also been here for dinner and that was better, but overall I doubt I will come back. Too many other places to go that would BENNIE-fit from the business. Wah waaaaahhhh -
Review from Laura f.
3/19/2012
Try the Lavender Infused French Toast, it is pretty decadent and delish, it has strawberries, honey marscapone, and bourbon syrup!
They also have blue bottle coffee and some pretty spectacular homemade pastries. : ) -
Review from Monica S.
3/16/2012 1 Check-in Here
Mission Beach Café, I get it. I understand the cult following, the nomads wandering in from all parts of the foodie universe and the inevitable line people are bound to join on any late brunch morning.
The formula here is simple. Cozy and inviting loungey diner feels meets hearty and locally sourced edibles. It's the neighborhood corner spot where locals make their mark and visitors add to their "must try" list.
The menu is accessible and since my favorite breakfast is a medley of every vegetable scrambled in with some chicken eggs, I was instantly thrilled to find just that on the menu. The simple potatoes proved to be exactly what the eggs needed and the deliciously vinegary mixed greens rounded out the flavors with a zingy zest.
My date's huevos were interestingly prepared with eggs sunken in a spicy, tomatoey soup-like base. Over the top we found some tortilla chips and against the odds, I liked this too (ultimately, my favorite huevos rendition lives at Honey's in Philadelphia).
Service was pleasant, amiable and on-top-of-it while the people watching from our perch at the counter proved unmatched.Listed in: SF Like a Local, Best Brunch, SF: The Mission
-
Review from Alvin Y.
Manhattan, NY
4/14/2012
Came here for brunch recently on a few friends' recommendations, and left with a sunny smile on a rainy day:
+Food. Delicious. I had the mushroom benedict, served with the house's home fries: it flavorful and filling. Armed with bottomless blue bottle coffee as well, I was set to go for the day. My GF ordered the burger--with the additional egg--and upgraded to the truffle fries. Talk about dish envy. One of my favorite burgers in the city thus far, and the quantity of parm-truffle fries was insane.
+Service. Although we sat in the corner of the restaurant between the window and the counter, we received better-than-expected service. Once we were noticed though.
-Wait. Even on a rainy day around 10-10:30, the wait was still 45 minutes. Probably would've been longer were it sunny.
Until I get the burger/truffle fries for myself, I'll be wishing I could make it back! -
Review from Emily R.
San Francisco, CA
4/6/2012
So good. Would have 5 stars if they hadn't been SO SLOW.
We came in here on a weekday, exactly at opening time. I had the burger with bacon, mushrooms, and cheese and it was absolutely fabulous. Juicy, thick, quality meat. The fries were herby and wonderful. Not a diet place by any means, but delicious nonetheless.
I must point out that I came at 5:30 and didn't get my food for a full 45 minutes. We were the second ones in the restaurant. Prepare yourself for a long wait. -
Review from Heather R.
Los Angeles, CA
5/20/2012
Friendly wait service, yummy blueberry and ginger muffin.
-
Review from Melissa L.
San Francisco, CA
3/11/2012 1 photo
It's worth every minute of the wait and I had to wait close to 90 minutes for a table, but this is now my favorite brunch spot in SF. The food has all the standard brunch fare, but they put a modern twist on the components of each dish to provide a fresh spin on the classics.
A good friend of mine was in town and I decided to take him to Mission Beach Cafe, a spot that had long been on my list of places to try. I knew there would be a wait and thankfully, my friend had had something to eat beforehand. Personally we didn't mind the wait to much as it allowed us the opportunity to catch up. There is some bench seating outside which made the wait that much easier. Coffee is available for purchase inside for those that need to caffeine fix asap.
Upon first glance at the menu I knew immediately what i wanted - the duck and chicken confit hash with sweet potatoes and two eggs. Although the portion was not huge as often happens with brunch dishes, it was just right - the meat was rich and tender and not heavy and the eggs were a slightly runny consistency. The sauce was like a nice gravy. The sweet potatoes were perfect and there wasn't so much of it that it overpowered the dish, as can happen with some hashes using too many fillers. A couple of splashes of their homemade hot sauce was perfect for cutting through the richness of the meat.
My friend ordered the crab and shrimp eggs benedict with potatoes and finished it up rather quickly, declaring that he loved the dish. He also ordered the french toast, which I absolutely had to try. This dish included three large thick slices of bread (challah? brioche?) with a fruit compote, powdered sugar and syrup (http://www.yelp.com/bi...). The bread itself had a nice custard consistency with crispy edges. Yum! I thought it could have used a touch of extra syrup, but otherwise was pretty darned good and not too sweet at all. It was so substantial that neither of us could finish that dish.
I ordered a cup of their cafe au lait made with Blue Bottle coffee, which was hot, creamy and had great flavor. My friend ordered a small mimosa, which would probably be a large at any other brunch spot.
Even though this spot was packed to the gills, service was top notch and very efficient. Our waiters were pretty darned friendly and really nice, I must say. We were made to feel like regulars. You'd think that with the long line of people waiting, they would urge diners to depart as soon as they are finished but we never felt rushed. Although most people don't tend to linger, it was still nice to feel like we were having a nice, leisurely meal, as evidenced by the constant turnover of tables.
I would suggest this spot for small groups of up to four, as it's a pretty small place with tightly packed tables. Be prepared to wait around 45 min to one hour. Parking is doable, but is not easy, especially on a sunny Sunday afternoon.Listed in: Brunching in the Bay Area
-
Review from Elena K.
Los Angeles, CA
3/22/2012 5 photos
Mission Beach Cafe, you do me dirty. I don't just go handing out five stars to anyone. You have to earn that. And boy does Mission Beach.
I've only been to Mission Beach twice: once for brunch, and once for dinner. Both were excellent culinary experiences, but brunch was definitely my favorite. Two friends and I split the lavender infused french toast, huevos rancheros with pulled pork, and mushroom spinach truffle eggs benedict. My mouth has never been so happy! I had a hard time picking a favorite because they were all SO different and SO delicious. The french toast is some of the best and fluffiest I have ever had, the eggs benny perfect and truffly and saucy, the huevos rich and flavorful in all the right ways.
(Plus: any place who only offers "small" or "huge" mimosas knows what's up. You just can't go wrong with a huge mimosa.) Plus there's a really cute waiter named Josh who works at brunch. Ladies - you'll know when you see him. PLUS they were playing the best 80's old school rap ever. At brunch?? I was sold.
I went back less than 72 hours later for dinner. Sorry I'm not sorry. It was a totally different vibe-- lights dim, a bit more formal-- but still 100% delicious. I went with a bunch of girlfriends and split a couple dishes, everything was good. The parmesan fries were especially memorable.
Mission Beach and Josh -- I'll be back for brunch asap. If you haven't been yet, you're truly missing out on some of the best San Francisco has to offer.
PS - if you're in need of some green medicine, head over to a fabulous collective next door while your friends wait patiently in line for brunch... -
Review from Jessica H.
San Francisco, CA
3/22/2012
One of the best brunch spots in SF. A little expensive( a lot more than axis cafe and a bit more than Slow Club) but who isn't these days.
I love that they don't serve anything that is not in season. Their food is bursting with farm fresh flavor. The hash is the best thing on the menu, hands down, the best. The burger is delicious, the french toast yummy. Everything on the menu is worth a try.
The servers are very friendly and not snobby like the usual mission places. -
Review from Emily B.
San Francisco, CA
4/12/2012
I had brunch here with my boyfriend on Easter. He had been wanting to try Mission Beach Cafe for some time, so we decided the hour wait would be worth it.
The staff and owner managed the rush extremely well. Everyone had a smile on their face, and remained calm despite the crowd of people waiting outside and the mass of tables filled with people dining on the inside. They arranged the tables to accomodate as many people as possible for the holiday brunch, so we ended up seated with couples/groups on either side of us. Amazingly it didn't seem overcrowded or cramped.
We both ordered the huge grapefruit and pomegranate mimosas, which were yummy. Even after a full meal, we walked out of there with a solid buzz--they are dangerously good!
I decided to order the ham and asparagus benedict, and my boyfriend ordered my second choice--the crab and shrimp benedict. I tried a bite of his benedict and although it was good, I was happier with my first choice. I normally don't like asparagus because many people don't know how to cook it to keep it crispy and flavorful, rather than mushy and bland, but it was perfectly done here.
The crab and shrimp benedict would have been a great dish but there was a lingering 'fishiness' to it which made us think it wasn't as fresh as it could have been.
The potatoes on the side of each were delicious and seasoned perfectly.
Our service was great. It was timely and friendly. I made a note of the waiter's name immediately after our meal, so that I could give him due credit for being wonderful, but sadly I waited too long after the holiday to write this review and can't remember it. He was warm and inviting. So much so that we both noticed it before we were even seated, and hoped we would be in his section.
I'm positive we will be back again. -
Review from Talia G.
COME FOR DINNER. Come for brunch too, but don't overlook their dinner.
All few complaints about brunch were NOT applicable for dinner:
- No wait. They take reservations.
- A few tables are removed so that there is more space between the diners.
- It's quieter. You can hear your companion.
The appetizers looked so delicious that my mom and I ended up getting a series of appetizers. To start, we split the Tuna Crudo and each ordered the Beet Salad with Cowgirl Creamery's Mt Tam cheese. My mom was OBSESSED with the beet salad and could not stop raving about it. I enjoyed it as well, but the tangy Tuna Crudo was my favorite of the two.
As our "entrees", I had the Duck Pot Pie and my mom had the Sweet Potato Soup. The pot pie was SO delicious. I'll be back to try all of their pot pie variations.
My mom and I share a HUGE sweet tooth, so when it came to dessert, we couldn't decide between the Black Out Cake and the Banana Butterscotch Cream Pie. Sooo we ended up getting both...yes, we're little fat children at heart.
The Black Out Cake was aahhhmazing. Instead of frosting, they layer the cake with chocolate pudding that seeps into the pores of the cake and makes it wonderfully moist. Get it A La Mode with Mitchell's Vanilla Ice Cream on the side.
The Banana Butterscotch Pie was also fantastic, but overwhelmingly sweet for my taste. The creme fraiche on the side was necessary to cut some of the sweetness.
Between the food and the service, I was 100% impressed with Mission Beach Cafe's dinner. Our server was attentive, endearing, and helpful in moments of ordering indecision. And, most importantly, everything we ate was SO GOOD.Listed in: Food Worth the Price Tag, Badass Brunches
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
1/28/2012
I don't often brave long lines and long waits, but I figured the line wouldn't be TOO bad at 9:45am.… Read more »
-
